Besides, it wasn’t so much that she wanted him. It was more that she wanted him to be sorry that he lost her.
Percy had been having a delightful conversation with Miss Damaris Simpson but only because he was waiting for Deborah and had intentionally placed himself where he would see her the moment she entered. Not that he didn't find Miss Damaris agreeable, but she was not for him. There was no desire. No undeniable attraction, unlike the woman with golden hair and jade eyes who stood at the threshold and took in the room.
He nearly sucked in his breath when he noticed her light blue dress. As with all the creations that she had worn in London, this one fit her perfectly and accentuated her breasts. Breasts he knew what they felt like and how perfectly they overflowed his palm. She was beauty in simplicity with her golden hair pulled back in a chignon while a few delicate curls escaped. Her jade eyes were mischievous as was her smile as she walked toward Tilson and Knight.
Of course, they welcomed her to the conversation. What bachelor would not? Tilson must have muttered some witticism since Deborah laughed.
His stomach churned and burned. There was no doubt about it. He was jealous!
Percy turned to Miss Damaris and was about to offer his arm to escort her to join the group that included Deborah but before he could utter a word, dinner was announced. As he watched Tilson offer his arm to Deborah, he offered his to Miss Damaris. Percy had wanted to be the one to take Deborah into dinner, but that did not mean that he could not sit on the other side of her so that they could converse. Except, once they arrived at the table, she was already seated between Knight and Tilson, so he led Miss Damaris to the opposite side of the table and took a seat directly across from Deborah.
At least he would be able to hear what conversation was taking place between Deborah and the two gentlemen.
Deborah did not so much as greet him but simply nodded in acknowledgement of his presence before she smiled at Damaris, then returned her attention to Tilson and what he was saying. Percy would like to know what was so damn fascinating, but Tilson was speaking so low that only a few words could be heard. Such should not be done in a public setting at the dinner and her brother would most definitely have objections.
Percy glanced down the table to where Peter was sitting. He looked at his younger sister with her head close to Tilson’s then shook his head and returned his attention to his wife, Johanna.
Bloody hell!
Tilson’s reputation was no better than his own, but Peter might as well have given the man permission to court, or seduce, Deborah.
Well, he could ignore her as she ignored him and turned his attention to Miss Damaris, since he had escorted her into the dining room, except she was already engaged in a conversation with Lord Nevil Claxton. To Percy’s left was Miss Jael Simpson, the youngest of the five sisters and all of eight and ten, and always happy.
He’d been introduced to her earlier, but Percy was at a loss as to what he might say to her.
“Are you always this cheerful?”
“I am now,” she answered.
“You were not before?” he asked as soup was placed before them.
“I suppose I was content because I did not know any differently.”
As in she likely had no idea how Society went about because she’d been in the schoolroom until last spring. If one was sheltered enough, London could be quite fascinating.
“Oh dear!” Miss Damaris exclaimed and drew his attention.
“I am so very sorry,” she kept saying as she used her napkin to wipe up the soup that she had just spilled. How did someone spill a bowl of soup that was sitting right in front of them?
Beside her stood Claxton, who grimaced. “Do not concern yourself.” His trousers were wet where his lap had been and if one did not know better, would assume that he’d relieved himself.
“Please excuse me,” Damaris murmured as she pushed her chair back.
Claxton grimaced.
Miss Damaris barely curtseyed after she stood and rushed from the room as Claxton lifted the leg of the chair from the top of his foot.
“If you will excuse me,” Jael murmured. “My sister is rather accident prone. I must go to her.”
“I suppose I should change,” Claxton grumbled and also left, leaving Percy quite alone with an empty chair to his left and two empty chairs to his right while Deborah watched on in humor before she returned to her conversation with Tilson.
Nine
She supposed that she should feel badly for Percy, who was left alone on his side of the dining table, and she, Tilson and Knight could have included him in their conversation, but she had always been told that one should not talk across the table during a formal dinner.
Except this wasn’t truly a formal dinner, but a gathering of family and friends for a holiday house party.
She supposed that the only reason she had not made the effort was because the longer she did not include him, the more he brooded, which caused Deborah to inwardly smile at his discomfort and jealousy.
